Description
Dakatcha Woodland is an important water catchment in a water-scarce landscape, protecting the fragile soil from erosion, and moderating the local climate. Furthermore, the woodland is rich in wildlife and has been designated as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International and forms part of a coastal forest global biodiversity hotspot defined by Conservation International.
Having been an inaccessible area of forest away from any main roads, Dakatcha has survived to date. However, an increasing human population has led to improved infrastructure and in 2020 a tarmac road was built into the heart of the area, opening it up for exploitation. Charcoal burning has become rampant across the woodland and people are flooding in from across Kenya at the news of agricultural land available for purchase. As a result, the forest is disappearing fast. A Rocha’s conservation activities are critical for its survival.
A Rocha Kenya has been working in Dakatcha Woodland since 2000 as part of a long running programme of research and conservation. In 2001 the team discovered critical populations of the globally Endangered Sokoke Scops Owl Otus irenae, Africa’s smallest owl. Then, as recently as 2019, A Rocha scientists confirmed the presence of the Golden-rumped Sengi Rhynchocyon chrysopygus, endemic to Dakatcha and the nearby Arabuko-Sokoke Forest. In light of this and the urgency of protecting the habitat from rapidly expanding pineapple plantations and charcoal burning activity, A Rocha purchased an initial 220 acres of forest, now known as the Kirosa Scott Reserve. Without this level of protection, the ever-increasing human pressure exerted on the woodland would result in the extinction of the owl as well as other species that are special to the area.
Your purchase of land today will help us to expand the reserve, providing further protection for the Sokoke Scops Owl and so many other precious inhabitants of the Dakatcha Woodland!
What do you get?
Following checkout you will automatically receive a link to download a certificate commemorating your purchase of land.
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